Beautiful Bircher

The truth is, I haven't really been sharing all that we've discovered in Australia. There are a few well kept secrets that we've uncovered in our short time here and will be bringing home. One is the joy of the top loading washing machine. It looks old fashioned and strange but it's SO easy to use - and if you forget a sock, you just lift the lid and throw it in. They are bigger and wouldn't really work in a fitted kitchen.. but don't know if I can go back to bending down again. It's been a revelation.

The other, even more magical discovery is bircher museli. I think it was invented by a Swiss doctor, and everyone here assumes that it's very European, but I'd never met it before. If you want to try it, simply soak 1 cup of oats in 3/4 cup of apple juice overnight. In the morning add natural yogurt, 1 grated apple and some sultanas. It keeps the Borlases filled up all morning. You can add more interesting fruits and soak in yogurt instead if you want to vary things a bit (but why would you?). So, try it. Send me a picture of yourself eating bircher and I'll put it on the blog.. Let's spread the word and bring Dr Bircher back to Europe.